Special Situation: Tilray IPO

Article Excerpt

TILRAY INC. (Nasdaq symbol TLRY) is a Canadian medical marijuana producer, which began operating in 2013. It also sells related accessories. The company’s grow facilities are in Ontario, B.C. and Portugal. Tilray recently filed the necessary forms with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of 9 million shares at between $14.00 U.S. and $16.00 U.S. a share. The company expected to complete the IPO in July 2018. Seattle-based investment firm Privateer Holdings will control about 82% of the shares (and 93% of the voting power) after the IPO. The company will apply the proceeds of between $126 million U.S. and $144 million U.S. to its $37.0 million U.S. loan from Privateer. It will also use $52.9 million U.S. to expand its facilities, including building a plant in London, Ontario. That will help Tilray expand into recreational marijuana. Canada legalizes recreational use in October 2018; it’s likely more countries will follow in the next few years. We’ll keep an eye on the…